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Abstract Introduction Post-keratoplasty glaucoma (PKG) is a major complication following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for congenital corneal opacity (CCO). This study aims to assess the preoperative structural risk factors for PKG following PKP for CCO using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Methods Pediatric patients with CCO who underwent preoperative UBM and primary PKP were enrolled. Patients with anterior segment operation history or with a follow-up duration less than 12 months were excluded. The structural features of the anterior segment including central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, angle closure range (ACR), anterior synechia range, maximum iridocorneal adhesion length, abnormal iridocorneal synechia, and lens anomalies were identified on UBM images. The medical histories were reviewed to identify clinical features. The incidence of PKG was assessed to determine significant structural and clinical risk factors. Results Fifty-one eyes of 51 pediatric patients with CCO were included. The median age at surgery was 8.0 months, and the mean follow-up duration was 33 ± 9 months. Eleven (21.6%) eyes developed PKG. The main structural risk factors were abnormal iridocorneal synechia (P = 0.015), lens anomaly (P = 0.001), and larger ACR (P = 0.045). However, a larger range of normal anterior synechia without involvement of the angle was not a significant risk factor. Preoperative glaucoma (P

Abstract Blowouts are a common type of wind-eroded landform found in sandy and desertified areas. They also represent a major degradative surface process affecting grassland ecosystems. Blowouts exacerbate changes in surface morphology through their effects on other surface phenomena including vegetation. In this paper, Xilingol League sandy grassland blowouts are taken as the research object, and the U.S. Keyhole satellite data and China’s Gaofen-1 satellite data are used as the data source, and the blowouts are extracted based on the 3 S technology for a total of six periods of high-resolution remote sensing image data in the study area from 1962 to 2023. The Landscape Pattern Index method and Fuzzy Land Use Simulation (FLUS) modelling applied to changes over the last six decades provided spatial evolution parameters for predicting future blowout distributions. Results showed that blowouts affecting the Xilingol grassland area increased by 16.81% over the past 60 years. The patch density (PD) increased by 0.9 per hectare. The mean proximity index (PROX_MN) and mean Euclidean nearest neighbour distance (ENN_MN) showed a tendency to decrease and then increase indicating initial expansion and then merging of adjacent blowouts to create the present landscape. The FLUS model used ten factors to predict changes in blowout distributions from 2023 to 2033. Factors included digital elevation model (DEM), slope, aspect, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, population density, real GDP, distance to water, and distance to impervious surfaces. It was found that grassland area decreased by 6217.12 hm2 and blowout area decreased by 102.91 hm2. Results of this study can expand understanding of blowout morphodynamics in ecologically sensitive areas.

In this contribution, the complicated dynamical behaviors and optimal harvesting policy of a discrete-time predator–prey model with fear and refuge effects are formulated. Both the fear and prey refuge effects refer to an interaction between predator and prey. In the first place, the existence and local stability of three fixed points of proposed model are investigated by virtue of our methodology, that is, the eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix. One step further, it is worth mentioning that the model undergoes flip bifurcation (i.e., period–doubling bifurcation) and Neimark–Sacker bifurcation at the interior fixed point by the utilization of bifurcation theory and center manifold theory. Also, optimal harvesting strategy is investigated, and the expressions of optimal harvesting efforts are determined. Two examples, in the end, are put forward to prove that they are consistent with the previous theoretical results.

DNA barcodes, short and unique DNA sequences, play a crucial role in sample identification when processing many samples simultaneously, which helps reduce experimental costs. Nevertheless, the low quality of long-read sequencing makes it difficult to identify barcodes accurately, which poses significant challenges for the design of barcodes for large numbers of samples in a single sequencing run. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the generation of barcodes and develop a tool, PRO, that can be used for selecting optimal barcode sets and demultiplexing. We formulate the barcode design problem as a combinatorial problem and prove that finding the optimal largest barcode set in a given DNA sequence space in which all sequences have the same length is theoretically NP-complete. For practical applications, we developed the novel method PRO by introducing the probability divergence between two DNA sequences to expand the capacity of barcode kits while ensuring demultiplexing accuracy. Specifically, the maximum size of the barcode kits designed by PRO is 2,292, which keeps the length of barcodes the same as that of the official ones used by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT). We validated the performance of PRO on a simulated nanopore dataset with high error rates. The demultiplexing accuracy of PRO reached 98.29% for a barcode kit of size 2,922, 4.31% higher than that of Guppy, the official demultiplexing tool. When the size of the barcode kit generated by PRO is the same as the official size provided by ONT, both tools show superior and comparable demultiplexing accuracy.

Abstract Background Increasing evidence suggested that immune abnormalities involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, the relationship between immunity and clinical features has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to measure the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and soluble TNF-α receptor 1 (sTNF-α R1) and to investigate their association with agitation in first episode patients with schizophrenia (FEPS). Methods The plasma TNF-α and sTNF-α R1 levels were measured using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the FEPS with (n = 36) and without agitation (n = 49) symptoms, and healthy controls (HCs, n = 54). The psychopathology was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the agitation symptoms were evaluated by the PANSS excitatory component (PANSS-EC). Results The plasma TNF-α levels in patients with and without agitation symptoms were significantly higher than those in HCs. The patients with agitation had significantly higher plasma TNF-α levels compared to the patients without agitation. There were no significant differences in the sTNF-α R1 levels among the three groups. Furthermore, the plasma TNF-α levels were positively correlated with the PANSS total score, Positive and General psychopathological subscores, and PANSS-EC score in the FEPS, but the relationships were not found for the plasma sTNF-α R1 levels. Conclusions These results suggested that TNF-α might play an important role in the onset and development of agitation symptoms of schizophrenia.

Abstract Archaea possess characteristic membrane-spanning lipids that are thought to contribute to the adaptation to extreme environments. However, the biosynthesis of these lipids is poorly understood. Here, we identify a radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) enzyme that synthesizes glycerol monoalkyl glycerol tetraethers (GMGTs). The enzyme, which we name GMGT synthase (Gms), catalyzes the formation of a C(sp3)–C(sp3) linkage between the two isoprenoid chains of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs). This conclusion is supported by heterologous expression of gene gms from a GMGT-producing species in a methanogen, as well as demonstration of in vitro activity using purified Gms enzyme. Additionally, we show that genes encoding putative Gms homologs are present in obligate anaerobic archaea and in metagenomes obtained from oxygen-deficient environments, and appear to be absent in metagenomes from oxic settings.

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (Ln-UCNPs) have been considered promising materials for various fields, such as biomedical and industrial applications. However, data and reports regarding its toxicity and environmental risks are scarce. Under these circumstances, data must be obtained to fully understand potential toxicity and adverse outcome pathways. In the present study, the toxicity of uncoated Ln-UCNP cores (NaYF4:Yb, Er) was systematically assessed in zebrafish embryos during early developmental stages. Ln-UCNPs were found to have multiple toxic effects, such as effects on survival rates, delayed hatching times, shorter body lengths, altered heart rates and blood circulation (significantly reduced), and neurobehavioral impairments in response to photoperiod stimulation. Bioimaging showed that Ln-UCNPs were distributed on the chorion, eyes, and skin at 72 hpf. However, it accumulates in the pharynx, esophagus, and intestine after oral administration. Ln-UCNPs disrupt the diversity and abundance of host-associated microorganisms (gut microbiota) leading to an increase in the prevalence of harmful bacteria in zebrafish. Transcriptomic and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) predicted Interleukin-8 (IL-8) signaling, neuroinflammation, cardiac hypertrophy signaling pathways, immune and inflammation-related response interferon-gamma (ifnγ), and miR-155 as key mediators in regulatory effects. Based on this, a causal network was built showing the strong links between the induced gene expression of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), such as nitric oxide synthase 2 (nos2) and tumor necrosis factor (tnf) upon Ln-UCNPs treatment, and with the downstream adverse outcomes, in particular, the promotion of apoptosis, liver damage, and inflammatory response. Finally, RT-qPCR analysis confirmed the up-regulated expression of nos2 and tnf in the exposed larvae, consistent with the observation of an increased number of fluorescence-labelled neutrophils and macrophages in lyz: DsRed transgenic zebrafish until 120 hpf exposure, which together demonstrated the proinflammatory effects of Ln-UCNPs on organisms. In conclusion, we illustrated the developmental toxicity, disruption of gut-microbiome, and proinflammatory effects of Ln-UCNP cores on zebrafish, and the causal network from IPA analysis may help further elucidate the adverse outcome pathway of Ln-UCNPs.

Abstract Background The liver regeneration is a highly complicated process depending on the close cooperations between the hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells involving various inflammatory cells. Here, we explored the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the processes of liver regeneration and liver fibrosis after liver injury. Methods We established four liver injury models of mice including CCl4-induced liver injury model, bile duct ligation (BDL) model, concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis model, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatitis model. The intrahepatic levels of MDSCs (CD11b+Gr-1+) after the liver injury were detected by flow cytometry. The effects of MDSCs on liver tissues were analyzed in the transwell co-culture system, in which the MDSCs cytokines including IL-10, VEGF, and TGF-β were measured by ELISA assay and followed by being blocked with specific antibodies. Results The intrahepatic infiltrations of MDSCs with surface marker of CD11b+Gr-1+ remarkably increased after the establishment of four liver injury models. The blood served as the primary reservoir for hepatic recruitment of MDSCs during the liver injury, while the bone marrow appeared play a compensated role in increasing the number of MDSCs at the late stage of the inflammation. The recruited MDSCs in injured liver were mainly the M-MDSCs (CD11b+Ly6G−Ly6Chigh) featured by high expression levels of cytokines including IL-10, VEGF, and TGF-β. Co-culture of the liver tissues with MDSCs significantly promoted the proliferation of both hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Conclusions The dramatically and quickly infiltrated CD11b+Gr-1+ MDSCs in injured liver not only exerted pro-proliferative effects on hepatocytes, but also accounted for the activation of profibrotic HSCs.

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles naturally released from cells. Exosomes from different sources play different roles in cellular component exchange, signal transduction, and pathological development. Exosomes have distinct biological characteristics such as low immunogenicity, easy uptake by cells, crossing the blood-brain barrier, natural targeting, and easy modification. Many studies show that exosomes as drug carriers have a great application prospect in cancer therapy. In this review, we review the biogenesis, origin, biological characteristics of exosomes, and the exosome drug delivery system and its application for cancer therapy are summarized to provide a reference for the study of exosomes.

Abstract Background Overweight and obesity are among the leading chronic diseases worldwide. Environmental phenols have been renowned as endocrine disruptors that contribute to weight changes; however, the effects of exposure to mixed phenols on obesity are not well established. Methods Using data from adults in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this study examined the individual and combined effects of four phenols on obesity. A combination of traditional logistic regression and two mixed models (weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel-machine regression (BKMR)) were used together to assess the role of phenols in the development of obesity. The potential mediation of cholesterol on these effects was analyzed through a parallel mediation model. Results The results demonstrated that solitary phenols except triclosan were inversely associated with obesity (P-value

Abstract Background An idiopathic macular hole (IMH) is a full-thickness anatomic defect extending from the internal limiting membrane to the photoreceptor layer of the macula without any known cause. Recently, clinical laboratory markers of systemic inflammatory status derived from complete blood counts have been evaluated in ocular diseases. This study aimed to explore whether they could predict the development and progression of IMHs. Methods A retrospective review of 36 patients with IMH and 36 sex-and-age-matched patients with cataracts was conducted. We collected complete blood counts of all participating individuals and calculated systemic immunoinflammatory indicators. The maximum base diameter of the IMH (BD), minimum diameter of the IMH (MIN), height of the IMH (H), area of the intraretinal cyst (IRC), and curve lengths of the detached photoreceptor arms were measured on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. We used these values to calculate the macular hole index (MHI), tractional hole index (THI), diameter hole index (DHI), hole form factor (HFF), and macular hole closure index (MHCI). We performed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of 30 patients with IMH who were followed up 1 month after surgery. Results Lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in the IMH group. No other significant differences were observed between the IMH and control groups. Lymphocyte counts in the IMH group were significantly negatively correlated with MIN and BD and were significantly positively correlated with MHI, THI, and MHCI. However, lymphocyte counts were not significantly correlated with H, IRC, DHI, and HFF. In the ROC analysis, BD, MIN, MHI, THI, and MHCI were significant predictors of anatomical outcomes. According to the cut-off points of the ROC analysis, lymphocyte counts were compared between the above-cut-off and below-cut-off groups. Lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in the MIN ≤ 499.61 μm, MHI ≥ 0.47, THI ≥ 1.2, and MHCI ≥ 0.81 groups. There were no significant differences between the above-cut-off and below-cut-off BD groups. Conclusions Although inflammation may not be an initiating factor, it may be involved in IMH formation. Lymphocytes may play a relatively important role in tissue repair during the developmental and postoperative recovery phases of IMH.

Citrobacter braakii (C. braakii) is an anaerobic, gram‐negative bacterium that has been isolated from the environment, food, and humans. Infection by C. braakii has been associated with acute mucosal inflammation in the intestine, respiratory tract, and urinary tract. However, the pathogenesis of C. braakii in the gastric mucosa has not yet been clarified. In this study, the bacterium was detected in 35.5% (61/172) of patients with chronic gastritis (CG) and was closely associated with the severity of mucosal inflammation. Citrobacter braakii P1 isolated from a patient with CG exhibited urease activity and acid resistance. It contained multiple secretion systems, including a complete type I secretion system (T1SS), T5aSS and T6SS. We then predicted the potential pilus‐related adhesins. Citrobacter braakii P1 diffusely adhered to AGS cells and significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release; the adhesion rate and LDH release were much lower in HEp‐2 cells. Strain P1 also induced markedly increased mRNA and protein expression of IL‐8 and TNF‐α in AGS cells, and the fold increase was much higher than that in HEp‐2 cells. Our results demonstrate proinflammatory and cytotoxic role of C. braakii in gastric epithelial cells, indicating the bacterium is potentially involved in inducing gastric mucosa inflammation.

Background Thrombocytopenia is commonly observed in patients with sepsis and is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis. However, the changes of platelet count caused by different pathogens can vary significantly. Our study aims to evaluate the quantitative changes in platelet count in response to various pathogens.Material and Methods We retrospectively analysed data of 3044 patients with sepsis from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC, 2008–2019) database and prospectively collected data of 364 patients with sepsis from our local cohort of the Shandong Bloodstream Infection and Sepsis Collaboration Study (SBISC, 2020–2022). Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to control for baseline differences in variables, except for the causative pathogen.Results Multivariate logistic analyses of both original and PSM populations identified Candida, Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Serratia species posing a higher risk for thrombocytopenia compared to others. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves showed L- or U-shaped associations between platelet count and 28-mortality with various cut-off values among different pathogens: ranging from 96 × 109/L in Candida species − 190 × 109/L in Klebsiella species.Conclusion Our present findings indicate a pathogen-specific effect on platelet count, highlighting the importance of monitoring thrombocytopenia in patients infected with above microorganisms. Clinicians need to consider pathogen-specific thresholds when intervene on platelet count.

BackgroundVitamins A and D are essential for the health of pregnant women and infants. Nevertheless, the relationship between umbilical cord blood vitamins A and D levels and the physical growth of exclusively breastfed infants remains uncertain.ObjectiveThis cohort study aims to examine the relationship between cord blood vitamins A and D levels and the physical growth of exclusively breastfed infants aged 0–6 months.Methods140 singleton mother–infant pairs were recruited in total. Questionnaires were used to collect maternal and infant information, and liquid chromatography was utilized to quantify the levels of vitamins A and D in the umbilical cord blood. Anthropometric measurements were conducted at birth, at 3 and 6 months of age, and the weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), length-for-age z-score (LAZ), head circumference-for-age z-score (HAZ), and BMI-for-age z-score (BMIZ) were calculated. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used for the analysis.ResultsThe average concentration of vitamins A and D in cord blood was 0.58 ± 0.20 μmol/L and 34.07 ± 13.35 nmol/L, both below the normal range for children. After adjusting for confounding factors, vitamin A levels in cord blood positively correlated with HAZ growth in infants aged 3–6 months (β= 0.75, P < 0.01) while vitamin D levels negatively correlated with LAZ growth (β= −0.01, P = 0.01) and positively correlated with BMIZ growth (β= 0.02, P < 0.01).ConclusionHigher Vitamin A levels at birth promote HAZ growth in infants aged 3–6 months while higher vitamin D levels at birth promote BMIZ growth in infants aged 3–6 months.Clinical trial registrationhttps://register.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04017286.

Background: The sustainable development of aquaculture is a crucial determinant of food security, the well-being of aquaculture practitioners, and economic growth within coastal regions. Considering the existing gap in research regarding spatial and temporal development of aquaculture, this study investigates the progression of aquaculture practices over time and across various locations in Fuding City, China. Methods: We retrospectively collected temporal and spatial data on aquaculture, as well as demographic, social, and economic data for Fuding City from 2010 to 2020. By employing 3D kernel density analysis, we illustrated the temporal and spatial changes in aquaculture. Furthermore, we utilized Ordinary Least Squares regression to investigate the driving factors behind the spatial changes in the aquaculture industry. Results: Over the past decades, we observed that in Fuding City, both the number of fishing rafts and aquaculture households initially decreased and then increased. The spatial distribution of aquaculture experienced a shift from the west (inner bay area) to the east (coastal area). Additionally, the type of fishing rafts also varied by region, with traditional rafts dominating the western inner bay and plastic rafts prevalent in the eastern offshore areas. Analysis of driving factors revealed that at least six factors have a significant positive correlation with the eastward shift of the aquaculture industry's center, including the proportion of migrant population, proportion of aquaculture to total fishery output, average temperature, investment in aquaculture technology, total fish sales, and GDP of Fuding City. Conclusion: This study examines the spatial and temporal dynamics of aquaculture in Fuding City from 2010 to 2020, proposing an innovative approach to spatial optimization that integrates both horizontal and vertical strategies. These insights aim to guide the development of coastal aquaculture policies and support sustainable regional development, fostering a balanced coexistence between human activities and marine environments.

IntroductionThe escalating prevalence of bacterial resistance, particularly multidrug-resistant bacteria like Acinetobacter baumannii, has become a significant global public health concern. The CRISPR-Cas system, a crucial defense mechanism in bacteria against foreign genetic elements, provides a competitive advantage. Type I-Fb and Type I-Fa are two subtypes of CRISPR-Cas systems that were found in A. baumannii, and the I-Fb CRISPR-Cas system regulates antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii. However, it is noteworthy that a majority of clinical isolates of A. baumannii lack or have incomplete CRISPR-Cas systems and most of them are multidrug-resistant. In light of this, our study aimed to examine the impact of antibiotic pressure on the fitness cost of the I-Fb CRISPR-Cas system in A. baumannii.Methods and ResultsIn the study, we conducted in vitro competition experiments to investigate the influence of sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) on the CRISPR-Cas systems’ fitness cost in A. baumannii. We found that the fitness cost of the CRISPR-Cas system was increased under sub-MIC conditions. The expression of CRISPR-Cas-related genes was decreased, while the conjugation frequency was increased in AB43 under sub-MIC conditions. Through metabolomic analysis, we identified that sub-MIC conditions primarily affected energy metabolism pathways. In particular, we observed increased carbon metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and intracellular ATP. Notably, the CRISPR-Cas system demonstrated resistance to the efflux pump-mediated resistance. Furthermore, the expression of efflux pump-related genes was increased under sub-MIC conditions.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the I-Fb CRISPR-Cas system confers a significant competitive advantage in A. baumanni. However, under sub-MIC conditions, its function and the ability to inhibit the energy required for efflux pumps are reduced, resulting in an increased fitness cost and loss of competitive advantage.

Compared with traditional cement-based binders, alkali-activated binders can be improved upon combination with recycled aggregates to produce a promising and new green construction material. However, during this process, a pretreatment method is needed to alleviate the negative impact of recycled aggregates on the properties of alkali-activated materials. In this study, fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and recycled powder (RP) were used as precursors, and recycled fine aggregates (RFAs) were used to replace natural fine aggregates (NFAs) to prepare recycled alkali-activated mortar (RAAM). Various RFA replacement ratios (0, 25%, 50% and 100%), pretreatment methods (calcination temperature and carbonation time) and alkaline moduli (0.8, 0.95, 1.1 and 1.25) were investigated. The effects of these parameters on the fresh and hardened properties, chemical composition and microstructure of RAAM were investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties of RAAM gradually decreased with an increasing RFA replacement ratio due to the poor physical properties of RFA and its poor matrix binding. Two pretreatment methods (optimal calcination at 400 °C and carbonation at 6 h) were effective in improving the properties of RFA and thus the mechanical properties of RAAM. Calcination removed the adhered mortar from RFA and thus improved the mechanical properties of RAAM. Carbonation of RFA enhanced the quality of the attached mortar, which strengthened the RFA and provided better mechanical properties. In addition, microstructural analyses showed that RAAM prepared from pretreated RFA had a dense microstructure and a low critical pore size.

BackgroundAccording to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a significant public health issue regarding the increasing number of individuals affected by obesity and overweight on an annual basis. Therefore, it is imperative to urgently identify interventions that can effectively control and improve this condition. Baduanjin, as a medium-intensity exercise, appears a suitable approach for weight reduction among individuals with obesity. This paper aimed to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of Baduanjin in addressing obesity and overweight, with the ultimate goal of assisting individuals with obesity in finding an effective, safe, and engaging method for weight reduction.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), The Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), The Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and WanFang Database to identify relevant articles published from the inception of each database until September 2023. Specifically, we focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of Baduanjin on weight reduction. Data from these studies were extracted and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. In cases where there was no significant heterogeneity (I2 < 50%, p > 0.1), we employed a fixed effects model for data synthesis; otherwise, a random effects model was selected. Funnel plots were used to assess publication bias, and the mean difference (MD) was reported as an indicator of treatment group differences.ResultsA total of 420 participants were included in 10 studies. The MD results of the experimental group when compared with the control group were −3.69 (95%CI = −4.97 to −2.40, p < 0.001) for body weight (BW), −5.42 (95%CI = −6.56 to −4.28, p < 0.001) for body mass index (BMI), −1.36 (95%CI = −1.76 to −0.96, p < 0.001) for waist circumference (WC), −3.40 (95%CI = −4.43 to −2.37, p < 0.001) for hip circumference (HC), and −0.03 (95%CI = −0.04 to −0.02, p > 0.1) for the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). All of the values in the experimental group showed significant difference. The results of the Egger’s test (t = 1.43, p = 0.190) suggest that there was no substantial bias present within the data analysis process. The safety profile revealed no adverse events reported across all 10 studies.ConclusionBaduanjin could be effective in reducing weight, and the practice of Baduanjin has the potential to regulate BW, BMI, WC, HC, and WHR. However, further well-designed RCTs are still necessary to provide more robust evidence in the future.Systematic review registrationhttp://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024513789.

The purpose of this study was to investigate ferroptosis in Escherichia coli O157:H7 caused by ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and to examine the synergistic effectiveness of FeSO4 combined with ultrasound-emulsified cinnamaldehyde nanoemulsion (CALNO) on inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that FeSO4 could cause ferroptosis in E. coli O157:H7 via generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and exacerbating lipid peroxidation. In addition, the results indicated that FeSO4 combined with CALNO had synergistic bactericidal effect against E. coli O157:H7 and the combined treatment could lead considerable nucleic acids and protein to release by damaging the cell membrane of E. coli O157:H7. Besides, FeSO4 combined with CALNO had a strong antibiofilm ability to inhibit E. coli O157:H7 biofilm formation by reducing the expression of genes related on biofilm formation. Finally, FeSO4 combined with CALNO exhibited the significant antibacterial activity against E. coli O157:H7 in hami melon and cherry tomato.

Introduction: Frailty has an important impact on the health outcomes of older patients, and frailty screening is recommended as part of perioperative evaluation. The Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) is a validated tool that highlights frailty risk using 109 International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) codes. In this study, we aim to compare HFRS to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and validate HFRS as a predictor of adverse outcomes in Asian patients admitted to surgical services. Method: A retrospective study of electronic health records (EHR) was undertaken in patients aged 65 years and above who were discharged from surgical services between 1 April 2022 to 31 July 2022. Patients were stratified into low (HFRS 15) risk of frailty. Results: Those at high risk of frailty were older and more likely to be men. They were also likely to have more comorbidities and a higher CCI than those at low risk of frailty. High HFRS scores were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, such as mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS) and 30-day readmission. When used in combination with CCI, there was better prediction of mortality at 90 and 270 days, and 30-day readmission. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first validation of HFRS in Singapore in surgical patients and confirms that high-risk HFRS predicts long LOS (≥7days), increased unplanned hospital readmissions (both 30-day and 270-day) and increased mortality (inpatient, 10-day, 30-day, 90-day, 270-day) compared with those at low risk of frailty.

Abstract Background Scoping reviews have emerged as a valuable method for synthesizing emerging evidence, providing a comprehensive contextual overview, and influencing policy and practice developments. The objective of this study is to provide an overview of scoping reviews conducted in Chinese academic institutions over the last decades. Method We conducted a comprehensive search of nine databases and six grey literature databases for scoping reviews conducted in Chinese academic institutions. The reporting quality of the included reviews was assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for PRISMA-ScR checklist. We performed both quantitative and qualitative analyses, examining the conduct of the scoping reviews and exploring the breadth of research topics covered. We used Chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to compare methodological issues and reporting quality in English and Chinese-language reviews. Results A total of 392 reviews published between 2013 and 2022 were included, 238 English-reported reviews and 154 Chinese-reported reviews, respectively. The primary purposes of these reviews were to map and summarize the evidence, with a particular focus on health and nursing topics. 98.7% of reviews explicitly used the term “scoping review”, and the Arksey and O’Malley framework was the most frequently cited framework. Thirty-five English-reported scoping reviews provided a protocol for scoping review. PubMed was the most common source in English-reported reviews and CNKI in Chinese-reported reviews. Reviews published in English were more likely to search the grey literature (P = 0.005), consult information specialists (P

Abstract Background High-performance computing plays a pivotal role in computer-aided drug design, a field that holds significant promise in pharmaceutical research. The prediction of drug–target affinity (DTA) is a crucial stage in this process, potentially accelerating drug development through rapid and extensive preliminary compound screening, while also minimizing resource utilization and costs. Recently, the incorporation of deep learning into DTA prediction and the enhancement of its accuracy have emerged as key areas of interest in the research community. Drugs and targets can be characterized through various methods, including structure-based, sequence-based, and graph-based representations. Despite the progress in structure and sequence-based techniques, they tend to provide limited feature information. Conversely, graph-based approaches have risen to prominence, attracting considerable attention for their comprehensive data representation capabilities. Recent studies have focused on constructing protein and drug molecular graphs using sequences and SMILES, subsequently deriving representations through graph neural networks. However, these graph-based approaches are limited by the use of a fixed adjacent matrix of protein and drug molecular graphs for graph convolution. This limitation restricts the learning of comprehensive feature representations from intricate compound and protein structures, consequently impeding the full potential of graph-based feature representation in DTA prediction. This, in turn, significantly impacts the models’ generalization capabilities in the complex realm of drug discovery. Results To tackle these challenges, we introduce GLCN-DTA, a model specifically designed for proficiency in DTA tasks. GLCN-DTA innovatively integrates a graph learning module into the existing graph architecture. This module is designed to learn a soft adjacent matrix, which effectively and efficiently refines the contextual structure of protein and drug molecular graphs. This advancement allows for learning richer structural information from protein and drug molecular graphs via graph convolution, specifically tailored for DTA tasks, compared to the conventional fixed adjacent matrix approach. A series of experiments have been conducted to validate the efficacy of the proposed GLCN-DTA method across diverse scenarios. The results demonstrate that GLCN-DTA possesses advantages in terms of robustness and high accuracy. Conclusions The proposed GLCN-DTA model enhances DTA prediction performance by introducing a novel framework that synergizes graph learning operations with graph convolution operations, thereby achieving richer representations. GLCN-DTA does not distinguish between different protein classifications, including structurally ordered and intrinsically disordered proteins, focusing instead on improving feature representation. Therefore, its applicability scope may be more effective in scenarios involving structurally ordered proteins, while potentially being limited in contexts with intrinsically disordered proteins.

In recent years, the use of time series analysis has become widespread, prompting researchers to explore methods to improve classification. Time series self-supervised learning has emerged as a significant area of study, aiming to uncover patterns in unlabeled data for richer information. Contrastive self-supervised learning, particularly, has gained attention for time series classification. However, it introduces inductive bias by generating positive and negative samples. Another approach involves Masked Autoencoders (MAE), which are effective for various data types. However, due to their reliance on the Transformer architecture, they demand significant computational resources during the pre-training phase. Recently, inspired by the remarkable advancements achieved by convolutional networks in the domain of time series forecasting, we aspire to employ convolutional networks utilizing a strategy of mask recovery for pre-training time series models. This study introduces a novel model termed Hierarchical Sparse Convolutional Masked-Autoencoder, “HSC-MAE”, which seamlessly integrates convolutional operations with the MAE architecture to adeptly capture time series features across varying scales. Furthermore, the HSC-MAE model incorporates dedicated decoders that amalgamate global and local information, enhancing its capacity to comprehend intricate temporal patterns. To gauge the effectiveness of the proposed approach, an extensive array of experiments was conducted across nine distinct datasets. The experimental outcomes stand as a testament to the efficacy of HSC-MAE in effectively mitigating the aforementioned challenges.

To study the quality characteristics of different apple varieties and establish a comprehensive evaluation model of apple quality, taking five varieties of apples (Tianshui Huaniu, Aksu Tangxin, Marshal Huang, Cream Fuji, and Luochuan Red Fuji) as the research object, the four texture characteristics, including hardness, adhesion, chewability, cohesion, and four physical and chemical indicators, including water content, titratable acid (TA), soluble sugar (SS), and soluble solid content (SSC) were tested. Combining the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance detection technology, the correlation between the water distribution and the physicochemical and texture characteristics of apple was explored, and the main indicators for evaluating apple quality were established by principal component analysis. Based on the entropy weight method, each core index was given weight, and a grey correlation degree evaluation model was established. The results showed that there were significant differences in various indexes of different varieties of apples (P

Abstract Background The structural features have an impact on the surgical prognosis for congenital corneal opacity (CCO). The structural classification system of CCO, however, is lacking. Based on data from ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) findings in infants and toddlers with CCO, this research proposed a classification system for the anterior segment structure severity. Methods Medical records, preoperative UBM images and slit-lamp photographs of infants and toddlers diagnosed with CCO at University Third Hospital between December 2018 and June 2022 were reviewed. According to the anterior segment structural features observed in UBM images, eyes were classified as follows: U1, opaque cornea only; U2, central anterior synechia; U3, peripheral anterior synechia combined with angle closure; and U4, aniridia or lens anomaly. The opacity appearance and corneal vascularization density observed in slit-lamp photographs were assigned grades according to previous studies. The extent of vascularization was also recorded. The corresponding intraocular anomaly classifications and ocular surface lesion severity were analysed. Results Among 81 eyes (65 patients), 41 (50.6%) were right eyes, and 40 (49.4%) were left eyes. The median age at examination was 6.91 months (n = 81, 1.00, 34.00). Two (2.5%) of the 81 eyes were classified as U1, 20 (24.7%) as U2, 22 (27.2%) as U3a, 11 (13.6%) as U3b and 26 (32.1%) as U4. Bilateral CCO eyes had more severe UBM classifications (P = 0.019), more severe dysgenesis (P = 0.012) and a larger angle closure (P = 0.009). Eyes with more severe UBM classifications had higher opacity grades (P = 0.003) and vascularization grades (P = 0.014) and a larger vascularization extent (P = 0.001). Eyes with dysgenesis had higher haze grades (P = 0.012) and more severe vascularization (P = 0.003 for density; P = 0.008 for extent), while the angle closure range was related to haze grade (P = 0.013) and vascularization extent (P = 0.003). Conclusions This classification method based on UBM and slit-lamp photography findings in the eyes of CCO infants and toddlers can truly reflect the degree of abnormality of the ocular surface and anterior segment and is correlated with the severity of ocular surface anomalies. This method might provide meaningful guidance for surgical procedure design and prognostic determinations for keratoplasty in CCO eyes.

Objectives: Early identification of sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease is crucial for patient management and prevention of severe complications. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of Ishii score, Strength, Assistance with Walking, Rise from a Chair, Climb Stairs and Falls (SARC-F), SARC-F and Calf Circumference (SARC-CalF), and Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment-7 (MSRA-7) to screen sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease. Methods: This prospective study included patients with chronic liver disease in the infectious department of a tertiary hospital in Sichuan, China. Ishii score, SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and MSRA-7 were used to screen for sarcopenia risk. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Myometriosis Working Group (AWGS) 2019, which was used as the gold standard to compare the performance of the four screening tools. We completed clinical registration on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registration website (ChiCTR2100043910). Results: A total of 366 patients with chronic liver disease (22.4% women, mean age 48.96 ± 11.88 years) were evaluated. Based on the AWGS 2019 standard, the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease was 17.5%. Among all participants, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) produced an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 for Ishii score (sensitivity 85.94%, specificity 78.15%), 0.53 for SARC-F (sensitivity 6.25%, specificity 99.34%), 0.64 for SARC-CalF (sensitivity 45.31%, specificity 83.11%), and 0.55 for MSRA-7 (sensitivity 87.50%, specificity 22.85%). Based on AUC, decision curve analysis, and calibration curves, we concluded that Ishii score was the most accurate screening tool and was superior to the other tools. Conclusions: Ishii score is more suitable for screening sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease than the SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and MSRA-7, based on the AWGS 2019 criteria. Nursing professionals can use Ishii score as a clinical tool to screen for sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease, providing an indication cue for the final diagnosis of sarcopenia, improving diagnostic efficiency, and enabling early identification and prevention of complications resulting from sarcopenia.

Abstract Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has become a standard treatment strategy for breast cancer (BC). However, owing to the high heterogeneity of these tumors, it is unclear which patient population most likely benefit from NAC. Multi-omics offer an improved approach to uncovering genomic and transcriptomic changes before and after NAC in BC and to identifying molecular features associated with NAC sensitivity. Methods We performed whole-exome and RNA sequencing on 233 samples (including matched pre- and post-treatment tumors) from 50 BC patients with rigorously defined responses to NAC and analyzed changes in the multi-omics landscape. Molecular features associated with NAC response were identified and validated in a larger internal, and two external validation cohorts, as well as in vitro experiments. Results The most frequently altered genes were TP53, TTN, and MUC16 in both pre- and post-treatment tumors. In comparison with pre-treatment tumors, there was a significant decrease in C > A transversion mutations in post-treatment tumors (P = 0.020). NAC significantly decreased the mutation rate (P = 0.006) of the DNA repair pathway and gene expression levels (FDR = 0.007) in this pathway. NAC also significantly changed the expression level of immune checkpoint genes and the abundance of tumor-infiltrating immune and stroma cells, including B cells, activated dendritic cells, γδT cells, M2 macrophages and endothelial cells. Furthermore, there was a higher rate of C > T substitutions in NAC nonresponsive tumors than responsive ones, especially when the substitution site was flanked by C and G. Importantly, there was a unique amplified region at 8p11.23 (containing ADGRA2 and ADRB3) and a deleted region at 3p13 (harboring FOXP1) in NAC nonresponsive and responsive tumors, respectively. Particularly, the CDKAL1 missense variant P409L (p.Pro409Leu, c.1226C > T) decreased BC cell sensitivity to docetaxel, and ADGRA2 or ADRB3 gene amplifications were associated with worse NAC response and poor prognosis in BC patients. Conclusions Our study has revealed genomic and transcriptomic landscape changes following NAC in BC, and identified novel biomarkers (CDKAL1 P409L , ADGRA2 and ADRB3) underlying chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis, which could guide the development of personalized treatments for BC.

Objective: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma has a poor prognosis in comparison with other pathological types of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. It also has relative resistance to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy with a great risk of recurrence. Case report: We report a case of recurrent ovarian clear cell carcinoma status after left salpingo-oophorectomy (fertility-sparing debulking operation) and six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy (paclitaxel (175 mg/m2)/carboplatin (AUC 6)). However, two years after diagnosis, elevated CA-125 accompanied by an intrapelvic mass was noted. Uterine intramural recurrence was found during the second laparotomy. She was treated with right salpingo-oophorectomy and abdominal hysterectomy combined with systemic chemotherapy administration (paclitaxel (175 mg/m2)/carboplatin (AUC 6)) and maintenance therapy (bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg)). There was no other recurrence until one and a half years postoperatively, and the patient was tumor free with regular follow-up. Conclusion: In young patients with stage I ovarian clear cell carcinoma, fertility-sparing surgery was considered. Most patients will suffer from tumor recurrence, and also intrauterine recurrence rarely happen.

This study investigated the batch stability of egg white peptides (EWPs) during the enzymatic hydrolysis process, and confirmed the potential application of four crucial four peptides inoxidative damage repair. The results revealed that different batches of EWPs had good stability relating to antioxidant activity. With a similar sequence to confirmed antioxidant peptides, four EWPs (QMDDFE, WDDDPTD, DEPDPL, and FKDEDTQ) were identified withhigh repetition rates, and their potential to repair oxidative damage was investigated. Network pharmacology results showed that these four peptides could regulate the targets related to oxidative damage. Enrichment results demonstrated that these four peptides could influence the targets and pathways related to glutathione transferase activity (enrichment score: 148.0) and glutathione metabolism (p value: 9.22 × 10−10). This study could provide evidence for the batch stability of hydrolyzed prepared EWPs, and offer theoretical support for the development of antioxidant damage ingredients derived from foods.

Chloramphenicol (CAM), a well-known broad-spectrum antibiotic, inhibits peptide bond formation in bacterial ribosomes. It has been reported to affect ribosome assembly mainly through disrupting the balance of ribosomal proteins. The present study investigates the multifaceted effects of CAM on the maturation of the 50S ribosomal subunit in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry (LFQ-MS), we observed that CAM treatment also leads to the upregulation of assembly factors. Further cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis of the ribosomal precursors characterized the CAM-treatment-accumulated pre-50S intermediates. Heterogeneous reconstruction identified 26 distinct pre-50S intermediates, which were categorized into nine main states based on their structural features. Our structural analysis highlighted that CAM severely impedes the formation of the central protuberance (CP), H89, and H58 during 50S ribosomal subunit maturation. The ELISA assay further demonstrated the direct binding of CAM to the ribosomal precursors, suggesting that the interference with 50S maturation occurs through a combination of direct and indirect mechanisms. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of the action of CAM and provide a foundation for a better understanding of the assembly landscapes of the ribosome.

Water electrolysis has been recognized as a promising technology that can convert renewable energy into hydrogen for storage and utilization. The superior activity and low cost of catalysis are key factors in promoting the industrialization of water electrolysis. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted attention due to their ultra-high atomic utilization, clear structure, and highest hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. In addition, the performance and stability of single-atom (SA) substrates are crucial, and various two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial supports have become promising foundations for SA due to their unique exposed surfaces, diverse elemental compositions, and flexible electronic structures, to drive single atoms to reach performance limits. The SA supported by 2D nanomaterials exhibits various electronic interactions and synergistic effects, all of which need to be comprehensively summarized. This article aims to organize and discuss the progress of 2D nanomaterial single-atom supports in enhancing HER, including common and widely used synthesis methods, advanced characterization techniques, different types of 2D supports, and the correlation between structural hydrogen evolution performance. Finally, the latest understanding of 2D nanomaterial supports was proposed.

Phytochrome-interacting factor (PIF) is a subfamily of the basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) and plays key roles in plant responses to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. In this work, a PIF gene named CaPIF7a was cloned and its role in the regulation of pepper’s resistance to Phytophthora capsici infection (PCI) was studied. The cloned CaPIF7a gene has a CDS length of 1383 bp, encodes a hydrophilic protein containing bHLH and APB characteristic domains, and subcellular localization results showed that CaPIF7a was located in the nucleus. Expression analysis showed that CaPIF7a gene has the highest expression level in leaf, and its expression was regulated under PCI and salicylic acid (SA) treatment. Silencing of CaPIF7a in pepper plants by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) reduces the resistance of pepper to PCI, with decreased expression of SA-responsive and SA-biosynthesis genes and obviously decreased SA content. DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq) was employed to identify the potential targets of CaPIF7a, and yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) verified that CaPIF7a could regulate the expression of CaHY5 by binding its promoter. These findings indicated that CaPIF7a might be a key modulator in plant immune response and presented a possible regulatory network of CaPIF7a in PCI.

This study's principal mathematical deduction exploits the importance of the specification of long-term equilibrium level in the mean-reversion short-term interest rate model—such as the CKLS (Chan, Karolyi, Longstaff, and Sanders) model—to describe the dynamic characteristics of future short-term interest rate expectations, especially long-horizon expectations. Therefore, we present a preferred model by introducing a stochastic long-run equilibrium level factor to extend the specifications of the Vasicek model's short-term interest rate dynamics. Using this new type of short-term interest rate as a driver we develop a two-factor affine arbitrage-free model of term structure, the generalized Vasicek mode. The empirical results show that the model not only has a good sample fitting ability to the Chinese government bond yield curve, but also has better performance in capturing the dynamic characteristics of short-term interest rates and short-term interest rate expectations. This study provides not only a promising avenue for future research on improving interest rate modeling techniques and their practical applications in the financial industry but also a new literature base for accurately identifying public expectations and explaining the underlying mechanisms of expectation changes.

Understanding the spatiotemporal evolution of urban actively populated area (UAPA) in urban agglomerations is crucial for sustainable development. This study fills a gap in previous research that overlooked urban population dynamics, leading to inaccurate UAPA characterizations. We utilized nighttime light (NTL) data, which reflects both urban construction status and population dynamics, to characterize UAPA growth pattern in the Yangtze River Delta. We developed a novel search method for extracting UAPA that demonstrated greater accuracy and adaptability than traditional threshold method. We employed expansion rate (ER) and annual growth rate (AGR), and a method for recognizing urban expansion patterns, to illustrate the characteristics and spatial changes in the Yangtze River Delta. We divided the research stage (1992–2019) into six stages based on China’s Five-Year Plan. The results demonstrated that the UAPA size at the end of the sixth stage (2016–2019) was about 6 times greater than that at the end of the first stage (1992–1995). The ER and AGR were approximately 15% during the first stage (1992–1995), and dropped dramatically following the fourth stage (2006–2010). Edge expansion is a typical predominant spatial expansion pattern for UAPA. While the proportion of patches with newly generated expansion showed an initial upward and then a downward trend, the percentage of patches with infilling expansion exhibited a pattern of first decreasing and then increasing. This study aims to provide support for future development planning and policy formulation.

Inhibition of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a promising approach for treating liver fibrosis, and the ferroptosis has emerged as a pivotal mechanism to achieve this inhibition. The effects of naringenin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties, have not been thoroughly examined in liver fibrosis. Therefore, we used cholestasis model to study the effect of naringenin on liver fibrosis. Our findings demonstrated a significant exacerbation of liver tissue damage and fibrosis in mice subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL), accompanied by a substantial upregulation of fibrogenesis-related gene expression. Notably, naringenin administration markedly alleviated liver injury and fibrosis in these mice. Furthermore, naringenin exhibited inhibitory effects on the activation of HSCs, concurrently inducing ferroptosis. Importantly, naringenin significantly increased autophagic activity in HSCs. This effect was counteracted by co-administration of the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, leading to a notable reduction in naringenin-induced HSC ferroptosis. In BDL model mice, naringenin demonstrated a mitigating effect on liver fibrosis, suggesting a potential correlation with naringenin-induced ferroptosis of HSCs. These results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of naringenin-induced ferroptosis and highlight autophagy-dependent ferroptosis as a promising therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.

The impacts of Stokes drift and sea-state-dependent Langmuir turbulence (LT) on the three-dimensional ocean response to a tropical cyclone in the Bohai Sea are studied through two-way coupled wave-current simulations. The Stokes drift is calculated from the simulated wave spectrum of the wave model, Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN), and then input to the Princeton Ocean Model with the generalized coordinate system (POMgcs) to represent the Langmuir effect. The Langmuir circulation is included in the vertical mixing of the ocean model by adding the Stokes drift to the shear of the vertical mean current and by including LT enhancements to the Mellor-Yamada 2.5 turbulent closure submodel. Simulations are assessed through the case study of Typhoon Masta in 2005 with a set of diagnostic experiments that incorporated different terms of Stokes production (SP) respectively. It is shown that with the consideration of SP, a deeper mixed layer, an enhanced vertical mixing coefficient KMS, and a more accurate representation of the vertical temperature distribution could be derived. Moreover, the effect of LT in elevating the turbulence mixing is stronger than that of Coriolis Stokes force (CSF) and Craik-Leibovich vortex force (CLVF). LT has a greater influence on the vertical mixing during typhoon than that in normal weather.

IntroductionLacticaseibacillus rhamnosus AFY06 (LR-AFY06) is a microorganism isolated from naturally fermented yogurt in Xinjiang, China.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of LR-AFY06 in a mouse model of inflammation-associated colon cancer. The mouse model was established by azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS) induction. The tumor number in intestinal tissues was counted, and the histopathological analysis was performed on colon tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to measure relevant protein levels in colon tissues.ResultsLR-AFY06 treatment alleviated weight loss, increased organ index, reduced intestinal tumor incidence, improved histopathological damage, decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the serum and colon tissue, downregulated the mRNA expression of inhibitor of NF-κB beta (IκBβ), p65, p50, p52, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) in colon tissues, and increased the mRNA expression of Bid and caspase-8. The high concentration of LR-AFY06 exerted a better effect than the low concentration; however, the effect was slightly inferior to that of aspirin. Moreover, LR-AFY06 mitigated the intestinal inflammatory process and inhibited intestinal tumor development by regulating the NF-κB and apoptosis pathways.DiscussionThe present study indicates the regulatory potential of LR-AFY06 in inflammation-associated colorectal cancer in mice, providing a valuable basis for further research.

Emerging evidence indicates that Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) may be a potential probiotic agent for ameliorating colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, we utilized the azoxymethane (AOM)/ dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse model of colorectal cancer to evaluate the intervention effect of AKK PROBIO. The results showed that AKK PROBIO significantly improved mouse colon health, decreased the serum pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, as well as downregulated the mRNA levels of p50, p52, p65, and IκBβ, upregulated the expressions of Bid, Bim, and caspase-9 in the colon. In addition, AKK PROBIO modulated the gut microbiota composition, as characterized by the increased abundance of Muribaculaceae and Akkermansia and the decreased levels of Bacteroides, and Parasutterella. Notably, the high-dosage group was better than that of low-dosage. In conclusion, AKK PROBIO has the potential to modulate colorectal cancer by alleviating intestinal inflammation through the NF-κB pathway and promoting cell apoptosis, thereby intervening in the development of colorectal tumors.

Abstract Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is involved in mammalian reproduction via binding to FSH receptor (FSHR). However, several studies have found that FSH and FSHR play important roles in extragonadal tissue. Here, we identified the expression of FSHR in human and mouse pancreatic islet β-cells. Blocking FSH signaling by Fshr knock-out led to impaired glucose tolerance owing to decreased insulin secretion, while high FSH levels caused insufficient insulin secretion as well. In vitro, we found that FSH orchestrated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in a bell curve manner. Mechanistically, FSH primarily activates Gαs via FSHR, promoting the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and calcium pathways to stimulate GSIS, whereas high FSH levels could activate Gαi to inhibit the cAMP/PKA pathway and the amplified effect on GSIS. Our results reveal the role of FSH in regulating pancreatic islet insulin secretion and provide avenues for future clinical investigation and therapeutic strategies for postmenopausal diabetes.

Abstract Organ regeneration necessitates precise coordination of accelerators and brakes to restore organ function. However, the mechanisms underlying this intricate molecular crosstalk remain elusive. In this study, the level of proenkephalin-A (PENK-A), expressed by renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, decreases significantly with the loss of renal proximal tubules and increased at the termination phase of zebrafish kidney regeneration. Notably, this change contrasts with the role of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which acts as an accelerator in kidney regeneration. Through experiments with penka mutants and pharmaceutical treatments, we demonstrate that PENK-A inhibits H2O2 production in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting its involvement in regulating the rate and termination of regeneration. Furthermore, H2O2 influences the expression of tcf21, a vital factor in the formation of renal progenitor cell aggregates, by remodeling H3K4me3 in renal cells. Overall, our findings highlight the regulatory role of PENK-A as a brake in kidney regeneration.

Abstract Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is a core component of the FGFs/FGFR pathway that activates multiple signalling pathways, including ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT, PLCγ, and NF-κB. Aberrant expression of FGFR1 due to gene amplification, chromosome rearrangement, point mutation, and epigenetic deregulations, have been reported in various cancers. FGFR1 overexpression has also been reported in prostate cancer (PCa), but the underlining mechanisms are not clear. Here we report a novel circular RNA, circFGFR1int2, derived from intron 2 of FGFR1 gene, which is overexpressed in PCa and associated with tumor progression. Importantly, we show that circFGFR1int2 facilitates FGFR1 transcription by recruiting transcription activators P65/FUS and by interacting with FGFR1 promoter. Moreover, we show that circFGFR1int2 suppresses post-transcriptional inhibitory effects of miR-4687-5p on FGFR1 mRNA. These mechanisms synergistically promote PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion. Overexpression of circFGFR1int2 is significantly correlated with higher tumor grade, Gleason score, and PSA level, and is a significant unfavorable prognosticator for CRPC-free survival (CFS) (RR = 3.277, 95% confidence interval: 1.192–9.009; P = 0.021). These findings unravelled novel mechanisms controlling FGFR1 gene expression by intronic circRNA and its potential clinicopathological utility as a diagnostic or therapeutic target. Graphic Abstract

We study the chaotic motion of a semi-classical optomechanical system coupled to a non-Markovian environment with a finite correlation time. By studying the emergence of chaos using the Lyapunov exponent with the changing non-Markovian parameter, we show that the non-Markovian environment can significantly enhance chaos. It is observed that a non-Markovian environment characterized by the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck type noise can modify the generation of chaos with different environmental memory times. As a comparison, the crossover properties from Markov to non-Markovian regimes are also discussed. Our findings indicate that the quantum memory effects on the onset of chaos may become a useful property to be investigated in quantum manipulations and control.

This study explores the potential of biosilica including diatom and diatomaceous earth as alternative silica sources for metakaolin-based geopolymers. Diatomaceous earth, composed of fossilised diatom frustules rich in amorphous silica, and diatoms, a sustainable source of renewable biosilica, are investigated for their effectiveness in enhancing geopolymer properties. Through detailed analyses including FTIR, XRD, and SEM, the study evaluates the impact of these biosilica sources on geopolymer compressive strength and microstructure, comparing them with conventional sodium silicate. Results show that diatoms exhibit significant promise, achieving 28-day strength up to 17.9 MPa at a 30% mass fraction, while diatomaceous earth reaches 26.2 MPa at a 50% addition rate, demonstrating their potential as active silica sources. Furthermore, the study elucidates the role of organic matter in biosilica on geopolymerisation, highlighting its influence on active silica release and the strength performance of products. This study proposes a novel pathway to enhance the sustainability of geopolymers through the utilisation of biosilica from diatoms, contributing to advancements in eco-efficient construction materials.

This review critically evaluates the algal–bacterial consortium (ABC) as a promising technology for wastewater treatment, carbon capture and storage, while also assessing its challenges and opportunities. The ABC system, characterized by the coupling of algae and bacteria, not only removes pollutants and reclaims resources but also helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This system harnesses algal photosynthesis and bacterial degradation of organic matters to establish a carbon cycle, enhancing biomass production and pollutant removal. Despite its promise, the ABC process is subject to several hurdles, including sensitivity to low temperatures, reliance on artificial illumination, and the potential for algal biomass contamination by toxic substances. To capitalize on its full potential, continued research and technological advancements are imperative. Future investigations should focus on optimizing the system’s operational efficiency, developing precise process models, exploring avenues for resource recovery, and broadening the scope of its applications. By surmounting these challenges, the ABC system has the capacity to make a significant impact on sustainable wastewater management and carbon fixation.

Mineral elements and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are important nutrients and energy sources for flower development in plants. However, no studies were reported on the dynamic changes of nutrient stoichiometry and NSC contents in Houpoea officinalis (H. officinalis) flower. In this study, the changes in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and NSC contents as well as C:N:P stoichiometry in the pistil, stamen, and petal of H. officinalis flowers at four developmental stages were comparatively analyzed. The results showed that C, N, P, and NSC contents, as well as C:N:P stoichiometric ratios in the three parts of the flower exhibited large variations at four development stages. Development stages and organs had significant effects on the measured parameters in the three organs of H. officinalis flowers, but their interactions had no significant effects. During the flower development, C, N, and P contents in different floral parts ranged from 418.7 to 496.3 mg/g, 26.6 to 45.3 mg/g, and 0.396 to 0.656 mg/g. P content decreased continuously with development, C:N in stamen were significantly higher than those in other flower parts at the same developmental stage. Glucose, starch, fructose, and sucrose contents showed significant differences in three parts of H. officinalis flowers at four development stages. These differences may reflect differences in elemental storage capacity and biomass allocation patterns of H. officinalis flowers. In general, our data will help to improve our understanding of the relationship between NSCs and C:N:P stoichiometry in response to development stages and organs in H. officinalis flowers.

Diatomite, a natural adsorbent rich in active silica, serves as a valuable precursor for geopolymer synthesis. The safe disposal of diatomite as a failed lead (Pb(II)) adsorbent is critical to prevent secondary contamination. This study investigated the immobilisation efficiency of geopolymerisation for Pb(II)-rich diatomite sludge. Low-grade diatomite with high ignition loss was utilised in the synthesis of alkali-activated geopolymers. It was demonstrated that the geopolymers achieved a compressive strength of 28.3 MPa with a 50% replacement rate of metakaolin by diatomite sludge, which was not a compromise in strength compared to that of the geopolymer with no Pb(II) (26.2 MPa). The leaching behaviour of Pb(II) was evaluated using water and acetic acid, yielding concentrations below 3 mg/L and immobilisation efficiencies of 95% in both scenarios. Analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) elucidated the mineral composition and chemical environment of the geopolymers. These analyses revealed that Pb(II) migrated from diatomite pores, potentially forming soluble hydroxides under sufficient hydroxide, which then participated in condensation with silicon and aluminium monomers, effectively immobilising Pb(II) within amorphous aluminosilicate gels. Furthermore, the formation of the amorphous gels within diatomite pores hindered Pb(II) leaching, encapsulating Pb(II) effectively. This study presents a novel approach to immobilising heavy metals within building materials, enhancing mineral resource utilisation efficiency while addressing environmental contamination concerns.

By reutilizing industrial byproducts, inorganic cementitious alkali-activated materials (AAMs) contribute to reduced energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In this study, coal gangue (CG) blended with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) was used to prepare AAMs. The research focused on analyzing the effects of the GGBFS content and alkali activator (i.e., Na2O mass ratio and alkali modulus [SiO2/Na2O]) on the mechanical properties and microstructures of the AAMs. Through a series of spectroscopic and microscopic tests, the results showed that the GGBFS content had a significant influence on AAM compressive strength and paste fluidity; the optimal replacement of CG by GGBFS was 40–50%, and the optimal Na2O mass ratio and alkali modulus were 7% and 1.3, respectively. AAMs with a 50% GGBFS content exhibited a compact microstructure with a 28 d compressive strength of 54.59 MPa. Increasing the Na2O mass ratio from 6% to 8% promoted the hardening process and facilitated the formation of AAM gels; however, a 9% Na2O mass ratio inhibited the condensation of SiO4 and AlO4 ions, which decreased the compressive strength. Increasing the alkali modulus facilitated geopolymerization, which increased the compressive strength. Microscopic analysis showed that pore size and volume increased due to lower Na2O concentrations or alkali modulus. The results provide an experimental and theoretical basis for the large-scale utilization of AAMs in construction.

Triadica sebifera (T. sebifera) has attracted much attention because of the high oil content in its seeds, but there are few systematic studies on the phenolic compounds of T. sebifera leaves (TSP). In this study, the extraction process of TSP was optimized by response surface methodology. The phenolic components of these extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Moreover, the effects of hot air drying (HD), vacuum drying (VD) and freeze drying (FD) on the antioxidant activity and characterization of T. sebifera leaf extract (TSLE) were evaluated. Under the conditions of ethanol concentration 39.8%, liquid–solid ratio (LSR) 52.1, extraction time 20.2 min and extraction temperature 50.6 °C, the maximum TSP yield was 111.46 mg GAE/g dw. The quantitative analysis and correlation analysis of eight compounds in TSP showed that the type and content of phenolic compounds had significant correlations with antioxidant activity, indicating that tannic acid, isoquercitrin and ellagic acid were the main components of antioxidant activities. In addition, through DPPH and ABTS determination, VD-TSLE and FD-TSLE showed strong scavenging ability, with IC50 values of 138.2 μg/mL and 135.5 μg/mL and 73.5 μg/mL and 74.3 μg/mL, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) infrared spectroscopy revealed small differences in the extracts of the three drying methods. This study lays a foundation for the effective extraction process and drying methods of phenolic antioxidants from T. sebifera leaves, and is of great significance for the utilization of T. sebifera leaves.

This study investigated the effects of ultrasound-assisted soybean lecithin (SL) on the rehydration behavior and physical properties of egg white protein powder (EWPP) and its ability to enhance the efficacy of EWPP instant solubility. The results of rehydration, including wettability and dispersibility, indicated that ultrasound (200 W)-assisted SL (5 g/L) addition had the shortest wetting time and dispersion time, which were 307.14 ± 7.00 s and 20.95 ± 2.27 s, respectively. In terms of powder properties, the EWPP with added SL had lower lightness, moisture content and bulk density. In addition, the increase in average particle size, net negative charge, free sulfhydryl group content and surface hydrophobicity indicated that ultrasound treatment facilitated the protein structures unfolding and promoted the formation of SL-EWP complexes. Overall, our study provided a new perspective for the food industry regarding using ultrasound technology to produce instant EWPP with higher biological activity and more complete nutritional value.

Forest soil contamination is a significant problem with risks to ecosystems and human health. It reduces soil quality, hampers plant growth, and disrupts ecosystems. To understand current research and identify future directions, this study analyzed 2659 documents on forest soil contamination published on the Web of Science from 1970 to 2023. Using bibliometrics, this study systematically analyzed the knowledge structure, research hotspots, and development trends in forest soil pollution. China, the United States, and Poland were the top contributors, with 11.28%, 8.42%, and 7.15% of publications, respectively. Despite fewer publications, the Netherlands and Sweden had significant research influence. The Chinese Academy of Sciences had the most publications. The primary research topics included heavy metals, ecosystems, deposition, air pollution, and organic matter. Keyword cluster and burst analysis highlighted the importance of heavy metals, microbial communities, atmospheric deposition, and organic matter. Notably, microplastics emerged as a notable gap in the existing research by highly cited papers analysis, indicating they can be a future research focus. Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive analysis of forest soil contamination, offering insights into current research themes and emerging trends.